How to Grooming your Pomeranian like a show dog

Ever wonder how those Pomeranians look so good at the dogs shows? Well it starts with the proper bathing technique. This is a great way to bond with your pet as well. So get that brush and bottle and "Let's Groom"!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pin Brush
• Metal Double Sided Comb
• Misting Bottle filled with 1/4 conditioner 3/4 water
• Ear Cleaner
• Towel
• Boar Bristle Shoe Brush
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Dryer, can be hand held
• Styling Mousse

1. Show Coat Preparation:
   Start by lightly misting the entire coat with a conditioning spray. This prevents static during your pre brush and minimizes stretching of the follicle. After the dog has been lightly saturated lay him on either side, if possible, then using a Pin Brush you will start at the bottom of the rear leg and brush in an upward motion. It is most important to understand you are gently Brushing coat not ripping through coat. After completing the first side lay the dog on the other side and repeat.

2. The Bath:
   I always start my Pomeranian’s bath by applying an ear cleaner to the ear canal. This starts moving any dirt up towards the opening and helps keep the ear dry. Then, starting at the nose, apply warm water in the direction of coat growth. Once the entire dog is saturated with water apply your first shampoo.
   If dog has an oily you need to start breaking that up without compromising the coat. The best shampoo for this is a clarifying shampoo. If the dog has a normal coat you need a shampoo that will release dirt from the follicle, again without compromise. I recommended a conditioning shampoo. Dogs that have heavy staining you might want to use a brightening shampoo. You can use this as your first shampoo or only apply where as needed.
   After shampoo has been applied over the entire coat take a boar bristle brush (a shoe brush is best) and gently brush the shampoo through the coat in the direction of coat growth. This will stimulate blood circulation so important for keeping the follicle healthy. Remember you are brushing coat not scraping skin. I use a soft pedicure brush for the face, pads and at the nail bed to start breaking up stubborn stains and dirt. Do not forget under the tail.
   I check and express, if necessary, the anal glands during the rinsing of the first bath. I find the dog has relaxed through the brushing/massaging process and is distracted by the rinsing. Since there will be another shampoo you will not end up with that residual aroma only detected while drying.
   After rinsing apply your second shampoo and follow the same brushing procedure. By brushing gently each step of the way you cleanse and rejuvenate the skin and coat as well as guarantee you have the product on the coat long enough to receive maximum results. Your second shampoo will depend on what you need to accomplish on your dogs coat. Since the Pomeranian is a double coated dog it is a very important to pick the correct second shampoo, consult with your breeder or groomer.
   After rinsing it is time to condition or reconstruct the skin and coat. Again you will start by applying product entirely all over the coat and follow by brushing it through. You may use a pin brush if you prefer instead of the Boar bristle. If using a pin brush, brush through the coat in a slightly upward and out angle, always in the direction of coat growth. But before you brush you need to choose the proper conditioner.

3. Conditioning the Coat:
   For a dog with a coat on the overly soft side you might want to use a light conditioner to help add crispness to the coat. Proper coat texture use a weekly conditioner. Coat that needs reconstructing due to prior damage needs a heavy conditioner.
   When rinsing, it is important to use warm water to increase circulation and excess coat release. Warm water helps open the follicle so it may accept products more favorably. Always rinse in the direction of coat growth massaging the coat through with your fingers, downward motion, or use your brush of choice. Squeeze the product through gently and make sure all product has been removed before you ever continue on to the next step.
   Once the dog is thoroughly rinsed and before you start to towel re apply ear cleaner to keep the ear dry and then apply all styling products. Use products that will accomplish what you need such as mousse for volume or a straightener to keep fluff under control. After all other products have been applied. If you need to straighten the coat lightly mist over those areas needed, again after all other products have been applied.
   Work product into the coat with your fingers in the same manner you work your fingers while rinsing. You might lose a bit of product after toweling but you can always add. In applying at this time I find the product gets all the way down the shaft to the skin. This is most important in enabling you to set the proper base during drying of the coat. You will squeeze the towel around the dog and coat especially paying attention to the legs and feet. You will spend too much time drying the feet if left too wet. This will cause you to possibly not get the maximum result in setting the base of the coat.

4. Drying the Coat:
   This is the most important part of the process. If you do not establish a proper base direction you will find you only will be fighting the base when trying to complete the final product.
   Start by laying down, the Pomeranian if possible, on the off, non show, side. You want your show side to be most fresh. Mist with your antistatic, thickener or setting product then take the back leg elevate and brush, with a pin or boar bristle brush, in a free moving upward motion. I use a boar bristle brush on the short coat and a pin brush on the longer coat and finish with a comb. Follow through each swing as one would in tennis. You will reduce stress on your back, arm and rotator cup. Get a rhythm going and work around the entire foot before moving up the leg. You need not a death grip in the brush so that if you hit that hidden mat you will not end up ripping coat. Rather gently hold your brush and swing through the coat.
   All sections will be brushed against the grain to create as much volume as possible. The same backward brushing is applied to the neck to head, ending on the face. By setting your base in a direction away from the skin, you allow for creative finishing, concealing faults, or accentuating attributes. I like to finish my show side (please remember to place them on a clean dry towel) before finishing the headpiece.
   The headpiece is most important. Use your boar bristle brush on the face and ears first. Ears are important to completely dry so they have the appearance of being short and thick. After those are dry apply (IOD) on the ruff and top of head for maximum volume.
   Finish drying the tail towards the head. You might need a quick remist to help reduce kinks and straighten the tail coat. Go back over the pants of the Pomeranian to help them flatten as much as needed to give the proper outline.
   Once the Pomeranian is thoroughly dry you can reexamine areas that might need more products added. The easiest way to check dryness is to turn off the heat of your dryer and when the temp is cool run your fingers through the coat in a wiggling motion. If you feel any overly cool or cold areas they are still damp. I like to end with a warm dryer to help keep just enough moisture in the coat to add volume.

5. Now your Pomeranian is show ready! The both of you deserve a treat how about going to lunch at a dog friendly restaurant?

Tips & Warnings

• If you run into a mat get your heavy conditioning spray (1/2 conditioner 1/2 water) and soak the mat. I would continue to lightly brush the mat in a lifting motion starting at the end of the mat, working your way towards the skin. Balance between brushing and combing. The most important thing here is to take your time. If you rush and stretch the coat it can takes months to restore the elasticity to the follicle. Using a silicone base spray and a heat dryer is most effective for stubborn mats. You would soak the mat and then angle the dryer to blow away from the skin. In a lifting motion rotate between Pin Brush and your Comb. If the mat starts to dry out remoisten.
• Always use quality products recommended by your breeder or groomer.
• Products should always be gentle enough to bath in weekly.
• You must brush daily to avoid matting.

[Rosepedal]

on 6/24/2009 You must be a groomer. Very good information. Rate 5

[ruf1950]

on 6/21/2009 Nice work, Kathleen... another great grooming article. I can see you're a real pro at this. 5*****

[edieness]

on 6/20/2009 Pretty cool tips on How to Grooming your Pomeranian like a show dog.5* and REC

[Teachforever]

on 6/20/2009 Wow! Great tips on grooming. I do not have a dog, but this information would be very helpful.5* I REC.

[groomerkathleen]

on 6/19/2009 Thank You Kristara, I'm sure your Maltese and Beagle keep you busy! That is an energetic pair of pups! I'll let you know as soon as I write a grooming article on your breeds. If there is a specific question write back so I can make that # 1 priority!